Here's my attempt at a Halloween story. Never tried being haunting before.... The Rockin' Chair They say that the war unsettled many folks. Fer sure, Annie McNaughton weren't the same when the news came about her Andrew. It was a hot, still ev'nin' in mid July; she was settin' on the porch in her rocker kittin' and pushin' the baby's cradle with her foot. The rider came slowly up the drive-never spoke a word, just handed her the letter. Tears ran silent down her pale cheeks but thet was all. The baby started cryin' at the stillness but she seemed not to hear. Went back to her knittin' and rockin' as though the babe weren't ther. Night after night she'd set ther rockin', her eyes vacant and still. Neighbors came to care fer the babe and hush its hungered cryin'. Annie took no help from no one-jest sat ther rockin'. They found her one mornin' cold as the dawn in her chair, eyes starin' at some distant horizon. In time, folks went back to normal life, pickin' up the pieces the war left behind. Laughter came agin along with weddins, birthin and all. Pain and loss drifted inter the past. They say, though, thet on hot summer eve'nins when the air is heavy and still, one ken see the rocker rockin' and hear the thin wail of a starvin' babe.